Mechanical rotary coin acceptor

ABSTRACT

A coin-metering apparatus having mechanisms for sensing the thickness and diameter of coins and a transport structure for serially moving plural coins past such sensing mechanisms. The coin-transporting structure is arranged to move the coins in a circular path thereby rendering the device more compact. A housing for such coin-metering apparatus that includes an improved shaft bearing mounting configuration. A coin-metering apparatus that includes provisions for forcefully ejecting coins therefrom into a coin receptacle. A coin-thickness-sensing mechanism that is capable of accurately sensing the thicknesses of different coins. A coin transport system that enables the user thereof easily to remove coins that are not accepted by the apparatus.

United States Patent 1 3,620,342

[72] Inventor Bernard Clark Prescott 2,256,486 9/1941 Lindberg 194/92 X[21] A l N g a FOREIGN PATENTS 0. [22] 53 g 25 1969 1,264,623 5/1961France 194/63 [45] Patented Nov. 16, 1971 Primary ExaminerSamuel F.Coleman [73] Assignee Universal Coin Meter Company, Inc. yand TownsendMenlo Park, Calif.

ABSTRACT: A coin-metering apparatus having mechanisms for sensing thethickness and diameter of coins and a transport [54] MECHANICAL ROTARYCOIN ACCEPTOR structure for serially moving plural coms past suchsensing 17 Claims, 22 Drawing Figs.

mechanisms. The com-transporting structure 18 arranged to [521 US. Cl194/61, move th coins i a circular ath thereby rendering the device194/92 more compact. A housing for such coin-metering apparatus [5 I 1Int. tha includes an improved haft bearing mounting configura- 194,tion. A coin-metering apparatus that includes provisions for 93forcefully ejecting coins therefrom into a coin receptacle. A

coin-thickness-sensing mechanism that is capable of accurate- [50] Fleldof Search...

[56] References Cited 1y sensing the thicknesses of different coins. Acoin transport UNITED STATES PATENTS system that enables the userthereof easily to remove coins 1,190,881 7/1916 Ericksen 194/D11G. 1that are not accepted by the apparatus.

PATENTEDNUV 16 I97! :1. 6 20 342 SHEET 1 BF 4 B CLARK P19556077- BY WWWATTORNEYS PAIENTEUnnv 16 mm 3. 6 20 342 sum 2 0r 4 BCLA/QK PRESCOTTATTORNEYS PATENTEUuuv 15 Ian SHEET 8 OF 4 Z] INVENTOR BCLAPK PRESCOTT BYW 3 W ATTORNEYS MECHANICAL ROTARY CORN ACCEPTOIR This invention relatesto apparatus for receiving a preselected number of coins of preselecteddenomination and transporting such coins to a closed container if andonly if the coins are genuine and of proper denomination. Simultaneouswith transportation of the coins, a machine, such as a washing machine,is activated. More particularly, the invention relates to apparatus ofthe type referred to that transports the coins in a circular path inresponse to rotation of a handle on the device, which handle is alsocoupled to the mechanism that initiates operation of the machine onwhich the apparatus is installed.

An object of the present invention is to provide a rotatably activatedcoin-metering apparatus that is capable of receiving plural coins ofdifferent denominations and permitting activation of the apparatus ifand only if an appropriate number of genuine coins is inserted into theapparatus. The stated object is to be contrasted with various prior artstructures that employ a reciprocally slidable member that carriesplural coins in parallel paths and in which a separate coin-measuringmechanism is provided for each such path. Although such prior artdevices have been widely adopted in connection with coin-operatedequipment, they suffer from certain limitations. Among the limitationsis the fact that a coin-metering device employing a linearly slidablemember can be activated without deposit of coins by application of alarge impact force on the linearly slidable member, which force isfrequently applied by fraudulent individuals by kicking the memberinwardly. Not only does such activity permit operation of the equipmenton which the prior art apparatus is installed without deposit of therequired coins, but such activity destroys the coin-metering apparatus.The present invention moves the coins on a circular path in response torotation of a handwheel or knob, and application ofsufficient force torotate the knob without insertion of coins is extremely difficult, ifnot impossible.

Another object which follows from the object mentioned above is toprovide a single mechanism for measuring the diameter and thickness oftwo or more coins of the same or different denominations. Because thepresent invention attains this object, plural coins of differentdenomination can be transported along the same path so that apparatusembodying the present invention can be of small size to permitinstallation in most if not all existing machines.

A feature and advantage of the present invention is that the rotativeforce applied to advance the coins through the meter can be coupleddirectly to a timer or like mechanism within the machine on which theapparatus is mounted. This avoids or materially simplifies mechanicallinkages between the coin apparatus and the machine since most machines,particularly washing machines, are activated by rotative movement, ascontrasted with linear movement, of a timer or the like within themachine.

Typically coin-metering apparatus includes a lever supported sensorprotuberance that slides upon the surface of coins carried through theapparatus to sense the thickness of the coins and to drop into or punchthrough any holes in coins, such as exist in washers, slugs, bus tokensand like spurious articles inserted into the apparatus by fraudulentindividuals. The surface area of such sensor protuberance is desirablyas small as possible in order to sense small openings in spuriousarticles and the present invention has for a further object theprovision of a sensor protuberance with an extremely smallcoin-contacting area. The present invention avoids excessive wear onsuch small area protuberance by permitting the protuberance to movetoward the path of coin advance only when the coin carrying structure ispositioned adjacent the protuberance and by raising the protuberancefrom contact at all other times. To achieve this desirable mode ofoperation, the present invention employs a movable coin-carrying platethat is formed with a cam surface which cooperates with a cam followeron the lever that supports the sensor protuberance. The coin surface andcam follower cooperate to move the protuberance to a coin-sensingposition only at those portions of coin travel where a coin is or shouldbe positioned.

A feature and advantage of a structure employing the cam surfacereferred to above is that the cam surface can be configured to move theprotuberance toward a coin in a gradual manner, thereby avoiding impactsthat would damage the coin or cause premature wear of the relativelysmall surface area of the sensor protuberance.

Another feature and advantage of the above-mentioned cam surface is thatthe cam is provided with one configuration adjacent a coin carrier forcoins of one thickness, and is configured differently adjacent a coincarrier for a coin with a different thickness so that coins of differentdenominations can be tested or measured by the same mechanism.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide coin-meteringapparatus from which coins can readily be withdrawn if the coins arerejected or if the user of the device should decide after inserting oneor more coins to refrain from operating the apparatus. This object isachieved by providing a coin-supporting surface on which coins areplaced by a customer which surface has at a minor portion thereofadjacent the margin of the surface a depression into which the edge ofthe coin can be depressed to tilt up the opposite side of the coin. Theapparatus is arranged to permit such tiltup of the coin to a degreesufficient to enable the customer to insert his finger or finger nailbeneath such tilted up portion of the coin.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a cointransport system that forcefully and positively extracts coins from thecoin-carrying mechanism that have been accepted and that are to bedeposited in a coin receptacle within the machine. Achievement of thisobject is important to frustrate such fraudulent practices as insertinga coin having adhesive or chewing gum thereon. Achievement of thisobject is made possible by provision of a rotatively mountedcoin-carrying plate that includes one or more slots therein that areradially positioned at the coin-supporting portion of the plate. A fixedmember includes a protruding dog that extends into such slot andpresents a tapered surface to coins approaching it. Rotative advancementof the coin with respect to the dog moves the coin along the taperedsurface away from the cointransporting apparatus and toward the coinreceptacle.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide acoin-metering apparatus that is compact to expedite installation onexisting equipment and that is rugged to frustrate those who wouldattempt to use the machinery on which the apparatus is installed withoutdeposit of the required number and denomination of coins. In order toachieve such object, the apparatus of the present invention is housed ina cylindric housing that has across one end thereof an integral endplate. The end plate is formed with one or more coin openings thereinand a centrally positioned shaft supporting structure. Theshaft-supporting structure is formed in part by raising from the endplate centrally thereof a generally frustoconical boss which is boredout to receive a bushing of brass or the like. A bushing having acomplementary frustoconical portion resides interior of such boss.Mounted to the interior surface of the end plate is a reinforcing platewhich has a central hole of smaller diameter than the frustoconicalportion of the bushing. The inner plate is firmly attached to the endplate such as by welding so that the bushing is maintained captivebetween the inner plate and the frustoconical inner surface of the boss.The shaft that operates the coin-transporting mechanism is supported insuch bushing.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will bemore apparent after referring to the following specification andaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus of the present inventionwith portions being broken away to reveal internal details;

FIG. 1a is a fragmentary elevation view showing the manner of mountingthe coin-thickness-sensing mechanism employed in the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of a fixed mounting plate on which coins are movedaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the mounting plate of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 66 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7--7 of FIG. 2,showing the coin tiltup construction of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 2 showinga portion of the coin extraction station in the apparatus of the presentinvention;

FIG. 9 is a top view of a coin-transporting turn plate which rotates totransport coins through the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the turn plate of FIG. 9;

FIGS. 11-16 are cross-sectional views taken from FIG. 10 along linesllll, 1212, 13-13, 14-14, 15-15, and 16- 16, respectively;

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary detailed view of the coin thickness sensinglever of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a detailed view of a portion of FIG. 17 showing a camfollower associated with such lever;

FIG. 19 is a view taken along line 19-19 of FIG. 17;

FIG. 20 is an elevation view of a clutch lever affording the linkagebetween the coin-metering apparatus of the present invention and timerapparatus or the like existing in machines on which the apparatus isinstalled; and

FIG. 21 is a detailed view of the coin-extracting structure of thepresent invention.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, reference numeral 12indicates a housing for the coin-metering system of the presentinvention. The housing is formed by a cylindric portion 14 and acircular end plate 16 preferably formed integral with the cylindricportion. End plate 16 is formed with coin openings 18 and 20 into whichthe customer places coins preparatory to using the apparatus of theinvention and the machine on which it is installed. The embodiment ofthe invention shown in FIG. 1 requires a dime placed in opening 18 and aquarter placed in opening 20 for proper operation but it is to beunderstood that such number and denomination of coins is only exemplary.

Cylindric portion I4 and end plate 16 are preferably simultaneouslyformed by a punching operation concurrent with which is formed anupstanding frustoconical bearing housing boss 22 and downwardlyextending coin guide radii 24 associated with each opening 18 and 20. Aninner end plate 26 generally congruent to end plate 16 is provided belowthe end plate and is centrally bored at 28. Positioned in bore 28 is adepending cylindric extension 30 of a brass bushing which on the upperor opposite end has a frustoconical flange portion 32that has an outersurface configuration complemental to the inner surface of frustoconicalboss 22. In assembling the housing of apparatus of this invention, thebrass bushing is inserted with frustoconical portion 32 seated withinfrustoconical extension 22 and inner plate 26 is then installed andfirmly secured to the inner face of end plate 16 by welding or the like.Consequently, brass bushing is firmly retained in place.

The brass bushing is centrally bored to support a shaft 34 on the outerend of which is disposed at handwheel or knob 36 to which rotative forceis applied by the user of the device after deposit of coins throughopenings 18 and 20. Mounted to the inner end of shaft 34 is acoin-advancing turn plate 38 which rotates in response to rotative forceapplied to knob 36. As can be seen most clearly in FIG. 9, turn plate 38includes a cylindric opening 40 sized to snugly receive a dime and acylindric opening 42 sized to snugly receive a quarter. The rotativeposition of turn plate 38 with respect to openings 18 and 20 in endplate 16 is such hat coins inserted through the openings in the endplate will enter respective cylindric openings 40 and 42 in the turnplate at the beginning or start position of the turn plate. Coins soplaced will be confined between the inner surface of plate 26 and uppersurface portions 43a, 43b, and 43c of a mounting plate 43 that is fixedwithin cylindric housing 14 by any suitable means (not shown).

Turn plate 38 has on the top surface thereof, i.e., the surface thatslides against the inner surface of end plate 26, two circular grooves39, the function of which is described hereinafter. On the lowersurface, tum plate 38 is specially configured to cooperate withcoin-sensing mechanisms to be described that inhibit rotation of theturn plate in absence of genuine coins of proper denomination in coinopenings 40 and 42.

Supported by mounting plate 43 within cylindric housing 14 incircumferentially spaced apart relation to openings 18 and 20 are acoin-diameter-sensing mechanism 44 and a cointhickness-sensing mechanism46. Mechanism 44 operates to inhibit rotation of turn plate 38 if coinscarried in cylindric openings 40 and 42 are of a diameter less thanrequired, and thickness mechanism 46 operates to inhibit rotation ofturn plate 38 if the thickness of coins in the cylindric openings isgreater or less than an appropriate thickness. Obviously, both of themechanisms act to inhibit rotation of the turn plate if coins are absentfrom the cylindric openings 40 and 42.

In conjunction of operation of diameter-sensing mechanism 44, it shouldbe noted in FIG. 9 that the center of cylindric opening 40 is closer tothe peripheral edge of turn plate 38 than is the center of cylindricopening 42. Such relative position of the cylindric openings is employedin order that the outer edge of a dime residing in cylindric opening 40is closer to the peripheral edge of turn plate will be radially spacedfrom the center of turn plate 38 the same distance as will be the outeredge of a quarter disposed in cylindric opening 42. Because thecylindric openings 40 and 42 are spaced from the outer periphery of theturn plate by an amount less than their respective radii, the edges ofthe coins are accessible from the exterior of the turn plate. Forcontacting the accessible edges of the coin, diameter-sensing mechanism44 includes a smooth post 48 secured to a lever 50. Mounting plate 43 isperipherally excised at 440 to receive the diameter-sensing mechanism.The lever is pivotally mounted at 52 rigid with a mounting plate 43. Ascan be seen in FIG. 1, in which cylindric opening 40 is opposite post48, the absence of a coin in the cylindric opening or a coin ofinsufficient diameter permits the post and lever 50 to move inwardly inresponse to bias from a spring 56. Such inward movement causes inwardmovement of a tooth or pawl 58 for engagement with an abutment surface60 on the underside of turn plate 38, see FIG. I0. A similar abutment 62is associated with cylindric opening 42. When a coin of proper diameteris supported in either of the cylindric openings, the edge of the coincontacts post 48 and moves tooth 58 radially outward, so that abutments60 or 62, as the case may be, are not engaged by the tooth whereby turnplate 38 can continue to rotate.

Thickness measuring mechanism 46 includes a lever 64 which, as can beseen in FIG. la, is mounted for pivotal movement at 66 and is pivotallybiased by a spring 68. The thickness measuring mechanism is mounted onmounting plate 43 within an opening 46a formed in the mounting plate.Lever 64 includes a sensor protuberance 70 extending upwardly towardturn plate 38 and is so mounted at pivot 66 that it contacts theapproximate center of coins transported therepast in cylindric openings40 and 42. Thus, upward movement of protuberance 70 in response to theforce of spring 68 is impeded by the presence of a coin within one ofthe cylindric openings 40, 42 which coin is confined against the lowersurface of inner plate 26. Moreover, the amount of upward movement ofprotuberance 70 is proportional to the thickness of the coin.

Referring now to FIG. 17, it will be noted that lever 64 includes afirst tooth 72 on the side of pivot 66 opposite from protuberance 70.Turn plate has associated with opening 40 an abutment 74 positioned forengagement under certain circumstances by tooth 72. Associated withopening 42 is an abutment 76 for the same purpose, see FIG. 10.Comparison of FIGS. 12 and 15 shows that abutment 74 projects from turnplate 38 by an amount greater than abutment 76. This difference inheight of the projections accommodates coins of different thicknesses inopenings 40 and 42; in the embodiment shown in the drawings abutment 74is sized to sense thickness of a dime in opening 48 and abutment 76 issized to sense thickness of a quarter in opening 42. From FIG. 17 itwill be clear that if a dime D is of proper thickness, shown in thesolid line position, abutment 74 will not be engaged by tooth 72, butthat if dime D or a slug is of excessive thickness, as indicated at D,protuberance 70 will cause lever 64 to pivot in a counterclockwisedirection as viewed in the figure to bring tooth 72 into engagement withabutment 74 and thereby inhibit rotative movement of turn plate 38 andknob 36.

At the opposite end of lever 64 from tooth 72 is a second tooth 78.Formed on the lower surface of turn plate, see FIG. 10, for cooperationwith tooth 78 is an abutment 80 associated with coin opening 40 and anabutment 82 associated with coin opening 42. Abutments 80 and 82 haveheights corresponding respectively to the thickness of a dime and to thethickness of a quarter. Thus, if coin D is absent from cylindric opening40, see FIG. 17, protuberance 70 moves upward so as to pivot lever 64 ina clockwise direction and move tooth 78 into engagement with abutmentsurface 80, thereby inhibiting further rotative movement of turn plate38. A coin of proper thickness positions tooth 78 in the position shownin the drawing, and permits rotative advancement of the turn plate.

With reference to FIG. I0, protuberance 70 is at a radial positioncorresponding to a slot 84 formed in the lower surface of turn plate 38.Because of the force afforded by spring 68, protuberance 70 is urgedtoward the bottom of the slot, and to prevent unnecessary rubbingcontact between the protuberance and the bottom of the slot, which mightcause premature wear on the tip of the protuberance and render difficultthe movement of the protuberance onto the edge of a coin, turn plate 38is provided with a circular cam surface 86. Contacting such cam surfaceis a cam follower member 88 that is integral with lever 64.Consideration of FIGS. 17 and 18 will indicate that the amount by whichcam surface 86 protrudes below the surface of turn plate 38 willdetermine the position of protuberance 70. Thus, in FIG. 19 cam surface86 projects from turn plate by a relatively small amount so that tooth78 can engage abutment 80 should a coin of insufficient thickness besensed by protuberance 70. The region of cam 86 depicted in FIG. 19 isindicated at 86a in FIG. and when turn plate 38 is positioned so thatcam follower 88 contacts cam portion 86a, protuberance 70 is movedtoward a coin in opening 40 to sense the thickness of such coin. Asviewed in FIG. I0, turn plate 38 revolves in a counterclockwisedirection during operation so that the next region of the cam surfacecontacted by cam follower 88 is a cam portion 8612 which is ofsufficient height above the surface of the turn plate to raiseprotuberance 70 away from the position of the coin surface. FIG. 12indicates that cam surface portion 86b is of sufficient height toachieve the stated result. From FIG. 16 it will be noted that camsurface 86b includes a leading ramp 86b and a trailing ramp 86b", itbeing understood that the portion of turn plate 38 shown in FIG. 16would move toward the left as turn plate 38 is revolved. Thus, cam 88moves up leading surface 86b gradually and by the time trailing surface86b" is opposite cam 88, coin opening 42 is moved to a position oppositeprotuberance 70. Thus, as the cam follower moves down trailing surface86b", protuberance 70 is moved gradually and gently against the surfaceof the coin. Rotation of turn plate 38 is thereby expedited since it isunnecessary to force protuberance 70 up over the edge of the coin.Moreover, excessive wear on the protuberance is avoided.

Cam surface 86 also includes a ramp portion 860 which forms a transitionfrom cam portion 86a (associated with coin opening 40) to a raised camportion 86d. Transition portion 860 is positioned with respect to coinopening 40 to lower protuberance 70 toward the coin opening in responseto counterclockwise rotation of turn plate 38 as viewed in FIG. 10. Afinal transition portion 86e is provided adjacent coin opening 42 forraising protuberance 70 during approximately 180 of rotation of turnplate 38 when coin openings 40 and 42 are remote fromcoin-thickness-sensing mechanism 46.

To recapitulate the sequence of operations of the various portions ofcam surface 86, the cam initially is relatively high so as to retainprotuberance 70 away from the path of coin travel. When coin opening 40approaches thickness sensing mechanism 46, cam 88 moves down transitionregion 860 to cam surface portion 86a to permit protuberance 70 to moveinto contact with the coin surface. When the coin has passed thethickness-sensing mechanism, cam 88 moves upwardly over a slopedtransition surface 86f to cam portion 86b, after which the cam is againlowered by a transition surface 86g to move protuberance toward coinopening 42. When opening 42 has been rotated past coin-thickness-sensingmechanism 46, cam 88 is moved up transition surface 86a to cam surface86d whereby protuberance 70 is maintained out of the path of coinmovement and out of contact with slot 84.

When coins can'ied in cylindric coin openings 40 and 42 have passeddiameter-sensing mechanism 44 and thicknesssensing mechanism 46, theyare ready for extraction from the metering apparatus and deposit into asuitable receptacle. For forcefully extracting the coins, the apparatusis provided with an extraction station that includes an opening 90 inmounting plate 43. As seen in FIG. 2 coin support surfaces 43a, 43b, and430 taper away from the coin transport surface toward opening 90 asindicated at 43b in FIGS. 8 and 21. Opposite such tapered surfaceportions, inner plate 26 is provided with downwardly extending ramps 92which fit into grooves 39 in turn plate 38. For clarity of disclosureturn plate 38 has been omitted, it being sufficient for an understandingof the coinextracting apparatus to realize that the edges of coinopenings 40 or 42 exert a force on the coin in the direction of arrow 94in FIG. 21. A coin approaching the extracting apparatus from horizontalposition is thus tilted downwardly by contact with ramp 92 whichdownward movement is permitted by tapered surface 43b and further forceon the coin in the direction of arrow 94 will urge the edges of the coinagainst a second downwardly sloped surface 96 at the edge of opening 90.Extending from mounting plate 43 into opening 90 is a spring plate 98that prohibits withdrawal of coins to which a string has been tied.Extending downward from opening 90 is a chute 100 for directing theextracted coins into a suitable coin receptacle (not shown). Thus, coinseven if adhered to parts of the apparatus by adhesive or chewing gum areforcefully extracted from the apparatus for deposit in a receptacle inthe equipment with which the apparatus is used.

The invention includes mechanism for preventing reverse rotation of knob36 once both coins have been passed by diameter-sensing mechanism 44 andthickness-sensing mechanism 46. Mounted for rotation with shaft 34 is aratchet wheel I02. Pivotally supported on mounting plate 43. see FIG. 3,is a pawl 104 which is inwardly biased by a spring 105 for cooperationwith teeth 106 on the ratchet wheel to inhibit reverse rotation of shaft32 and turn plate 38. As can be seen in FIG. 3, teeth 106 occupy onlyabout l80 of ratchet wheel 102 so that reverse rotation of the shaft isnot inhibited until diameter-sensing mechanism 44 and thickness-sensingmechanism 46 have permitted coins to pass into the apparatus. Tooth 106ais the first tooth that is engaged by pawl 104 after the coins have beenpassed through the sensing mechanisms and the rotative position of tooth1060 with respect to the coin-sensing mechanisms and coin opening 42 issucli that tooth 106a is engaged by the pawl only after coins in bothopenings 40 and 42 have been passed by the sensing mechanisms. Thus,until both coins have been passed, the user of the device is free toretrieve his coins should be change his mind. Once the coins have beenpassed and pawl I04 engages tooth 1060, however, the coins are committedto the apparatus because the shaft cannot be rotated in a reversedirection. The shaft can be rotated only in the forward direction so asto move the coins through the coin extracting station.

For coupling the coin-metering apparatus to the machine on which theapparatus is installed and for permitting operation of the machine onlyafter genuine coins have been accepted. ratchet wheel 102 carries aclutch lever 108 which is pivotally supported to the ratchet wheel by apivot pin 1 10. Clutch lever 108 has a cam follower 1 12 whichcooperates with a cam slot 114 formed in the lower surface of mountingplate 43, see FIG. 3. The parts are so relatively positioned that beforethe coins have been passed by the sensing mechanisms and before ratchetpawl 104 engages tooth 106a, cam 112 travels in cam slot 114 so thattooth 1 16 carried on clutch lever 108 does not axially project from thesurface of ratchet wheel 102. When,

however, ratchet wheel I02 has rotated a sufficient degree topermitengagement between pawl 104 and teeth 106, cam follower 1 12 is movedout of cam slot 1 14 so that tooth l 16 projects axially beyond thesurface of ratchet wheel 102, the latter condition being indicated at116a in FIG. 20. A timer or the like (not shown) provided in theequipment upon which the apparatus of this invention is installedincludes an abutment that is engaged by tooth 116 in ITS extendedposition so that rotative movement is imparted to such timer as the userof the device continues to effect rotation of clutch pawl 108 byapplication of force to knob 36. Thus, only after the coins have beencommitted to the apparatus is it possible for activating force to beapplied to the timer mechanism in the equipment on which the apparatusof the invention is mounted.

Coins are initially deposited in the apparatus by positioning turn plate38 so that coin openings 40 and 42 align with respective openings 18 and20 in cover plate 16. The user of the device inserts the coins and thecoins rest on surface portions 43a, 43b, and 430 of mounting plate 43.Rotation of knob 36 in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 1advances the coins toward sensing mechanisms 44 and 46. At any timeprior to committment of the coins to the apparatus by engagement betweenpawl 104 and ratchet tooth 106a, the user is free to retrieve his coinsby reversing rotation of knob 36. Such reverse rotation brings the coinsback into alignment with openings 18 and 20 in end plate 16, and thepresent invention affords ready removal of the coins from such position.Surface portions 43a and 43b are partially excised in regions inalignment with coin openings 18 and 20, such excised regions beingindicated at 120 in FIGS. 1, 2, and 7. It will be noted that the excisedportions occupy a minor portion of the area exposed through openings 18and 20 so that downward force on the coin at the area thereof overlyingportions 120 will permit the opposite edge of the coin to be tilted upto a degree sufiicient to permit the user to insert his finger orfingernail beneath the coin and thereby extract the coin. Thus thefrustration of having to hunt for a pencil, knife, or like instrumentfor removing of the coins is avoided by the present invention.

The operation of the apparatus of this invention is as follows: the userrotates knob 36 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. I soas to bring coin openings 40 and 42 into registry with openings 18 and20 in end plate 16. The diameter of openings 40, 42, 18, and 20determine the denomination of coins required for operation of theequipment on which the apparatus is installed. Such coins are insertedthrough the openings so that the coins are supported on surface portions43a, 43b, and 430 of mounting plate 43. Clockwise rotation of turnplate38 is then effected by application of force to knob 36 and the firstcoin, a dime residing in opening 40, is sensed for accurate diameter andaccurate thickness. Should the diameter be insufficient, diametersensing mechanism 44 effects engagement between tooth 58 on lever 50 andabutment 60 on the turn plate; should the diameter be proper, however,tooth 58 is moved out of the path of abutment 60. Next the coin ispositioned opposite thickness sensing mechanism 46 and by thecooperation between cam follower 88 and cam transition surface 860,sensor protuberance 70 is moved gently into contact with the surface ofthe coin. If the coin is too thick, tooth 72 on lever 64 engagesabutment 74 on turn plate 38. If the coin is too thin, tooth 78 on lever64 engages abutment 80. If however the coin is of proper thicknesscontinued rotation of turn plate 38 is permitted and the above-describedsteps are repeated with respect to the coin residing in opening 42. Ifthat coin is passed by diameter-sensing mechanism 44 andthickness-sensing mechanism 46, pawl 104 engages teeth 106 on ratchetwheel 102 and prevents reverse engagement of knob 36. Continued rotationof knob 36 in a clockwise direction moves the coins to the extractingstation located adjacent opening 90 in mounting plate 43 and suchmovement also activates clutch pawl 108 so as to move tooth 116 intoengagement with suitable linkage on the timing mechanism in the machineon which the apparatus is installed. Accordingly, the apparatus isactivated and the coins are deposited in a suitable receptacle in themachine.

Thus it will be seen that the present invention provides a coin-meteringapparatus that can handle two or more coins so that the price formachine operation can be established with precision. Moreover becausethe coins are handled serially on a single path rather than in parallelon individual paths, as in certain prior art devices, the coin-meteringapparatus is extremely compact and can be installed on existingequipment without significant modification. In addition the apparatusincludes various mechanisms which both protect the integrity of themetering apparatus and prevent fraudulent individuals from using theequipment on which the apparatus is mounted without payment of theprescribed amount.

While one embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, itwill be obvious that other adaptations and modifications can be madewithout departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination with a coin advance system, apparatus for inhibitingadvance of coins greater or less than a preselected thickness comprisingmeans for supporting the coin in a position at which at least a portionof one face of the coin is exposed and the opposite face is confined toa plane parallel to the one face, means for transporting said supportingmeans along a path on the plane, a lever having a sensor protuberancefor engaging the exposed face of a coin supported in said supportingmeans, means for pivotally mounting said lever about a pivotal axisspaced from said protuberance so that said protuberance is movable intoengagement with the coin face, means for resiliently biasing saidprotuberance toward said exposed face, said lever including a firsttooth spaced from said pivotal mounting means and movable toward andaway from said path as said protuberance engages the coin surfacewhereby the lever moves in response to varying thickness of coins insaid supporting means, first abutment means carried by said transportingmeans for engaging said first tooth when the surface of the coin in saidsupporting means is below a preselected level, said first abutment meanshaving a height such that said first tooth is positioned clear of saidfirst abutment means when a coin of preselected thickness is in saidcoin-supporting means, said lever also including a second abutment meansdisposed on the side of the pivotal axis of said lever opposite fromsaid first tooth, and second abutment means carried by said transportingmeans for engaging said second tooth when the surface of the coin insaid supporting means is above a preselected level, said second abutmentmeans having a height such that said second tooth is positioned clear ofsaid second abutment means when a coin of preselected thickness is insaid coin-supporting means, said second tooth being spaced laterallyfrom said first tooth in a direction transverse of said path.

2. The invention of claim 1 in combination with a cam follower attachedto said lever remote from said pivotal axis and a cam surface on saidtransporting means for engaging said cam follower, said cam surfacehaving a first region formed and positioned to permit said sensorprotuberance to approach a coin in said coin-supporting means when saidcoinsupporting means is opposite said protuberance and a second regionfor positioning said protuberance away from the level of said coinsurface at all other positions of said transporting means.

3. The invention of claim 2 wherein said cam surface includes atransition region intermediate said first and second regions foreffecting a smooth continuous transition therebetween.

4. The invention of claim 1 wherein said coin-supporting means includesa plate having an edge and a cylindric opening centered at a point onsaid plate spaced from said edge less than the radius of the opening sothat a portion of the periphery of a coin in said opening is accessiblefrom said edge, a lever pivotally supported adjacent said edge andhaving an extension movable toward and away from said edge and theperiphery of a coin residing in said opening, means for resilientlybiasing said extension toward said edge, said lever having a tooththereon remote from said extension, and a tooth-engaging abutmentmounted on said transporting means and adapted to be engaged by saidtooth in response to inward movement of said extension when theperiphery of a coin in said opening is insufficient to retain said leverin an outward position.

5. The invention of claim 4 wherein said edge is generally circular andwherein a second cylindric opening is formed in said plate incircumferentially spaced relation of first said opening, said openingsbeing spaced from the edge of said plate by an amount proportional totheir respective diameters so that accessible portions of the edges ofcoins residing in the openings are equispaced from the plate edge, andmeans for rotating said plate to move said coin openings sequentiallypast said lever extension.

6. Coin-metering apparatus comprising a generally circular plate havingfirst and second circumferentially spaced apart coin openings therein,said openings being of different radial dimensions approximately spacedfrom the center of said plate so that the outer edge of the coins followsubstantially the same circular path in response to rotation of saidplate, means for applying rotative force to said plate to advance coinsin said openings along the circular path, means on the path forsequentially sensing the thickness of coins in said openings on thepath, and means responsive to said sensing means for inhibiting rotationof said plate when a coin of improper thickness is sensed by saidsensing means.

7. The invention of claim 6 wherein said coin-thicknesssensing meanscomprises a lever mounted for pivotal movement on an axis adjacent thepath, a sensor protuberance rigid with said lever and spaced from thepivotal axis, said sensor protuberance extending toward said path forcontact with the surface of coins in said openings, means forresiliently biasing said sensor protuberance toward the path, a firsttooth rigid with said lever and positioned on the side of the pivotalaxis opposite said sensor protuberance so that said first toothapproaches said circular plate in direct proportion to the thickness ofa coin on the path in said openings, first and second abutments on saidplate associated with respective said first and second coin openings forengagement by said first tooth when a coin of excessive thickness iscontacted by said sensor protuberance, a second tooth rigid with saidlever and positioned on the same side of the lever as the pivotal axisso that said second tooth recedes from said circular plate in directproportion to the thickness of a coin on the path in said openings, andthird and fourth abutments on said plate as sociated with respectivesaid first and second coin openings for engagement by said second toothwhen a coin of insufficient thickness is contacted by said sensorprotuberance,

8. The invention of claim 7 wherein said first and second abutments arecircumferentially and radially spaced from respective said third andfourth abutments so that said first and second teeth operate to engagesaid abutments individually and sequentially.

9. The invention of claim 7 in combination with a cam follower rigidwith said lever and extending toward said circular plate, said camfollower being on the same side of the pivotal axis as said sensorprotuberance so that said cam follower is urged toward said circularplate by said biasing means, a cam surface formed on said plate forcooperative contact with said cam follower, said cam surface havingrelatively low regions adjacent said coin openings so as to permit saidprotuberance to move into contact with the surfaces of coins in saidopening, said cam surface having relatively high regions at all otherlocations on said circular plate for moving said protuberance away fromthe path at all other positions of said circular plate with respect tosaid coin-thickness-sensing means.

10. The invention of claim 9 wherein said cam surface includes slopingtransition regions intermediate the high regions thereof and the lowregions thereof for smoothly moving said protuberance toward and awayfrom the surfaces of coins in said coin openings.

1 1. The invention of claim 9 wherein the height of said low cam regionsis proportional to the thickness of coins intended for positioning insaid coin openings so as to minimize the amount of movement of saidsensor protuberance toward the path of coin travel.

12. The invention of claim 6 in combination with means for forcefullyextracting coins after they have passed said cointhickness-sensingmeans, said coin extracting means including a fixed tapered memberextending into the coin path for contact with the surface of coinstherein, said tapered member being configured to deflect coins movingtherepast from the path of coin travel.

13. The invention of claim 12 including a circular groove in saidcircular plate associated with said tapered member, said grooveintersecting said circular coin openings for establishing clearancebetween said tapered member and said circular plate during rotation ofsaid circular plate and for contacting the surface of coins in said coinopenings.

14. The invention of claim 6 in combination with a toothed ratchet wheelrotatable with said circular plate, a pawl adjacent said ratchet wheelfor engaging the teeth thereof to prevent reverse rotation of saidcircular plate, said ratchet wheel having a tooth-free portion on theperiphery thereof circumferentially positioned with respect to said coinopenings and said coin-thickness-sensing means that said ratchet wheeland said pawl are active to prevent reverse rotation of said circularplate only after coins in said openings have passed saidcoin-thickness-sensing means.

15. The invention of claim 14 in combination with a clutch pawl mountedon said ratchet wheel for pivotal movement about an axis extendinggenerally radially of said circular plate, said clutch pawl having a camfollower rigid therewith, means defining a cam surface adjacent saidratchet wheel for cooperation with said cam follower, said cam surfacebeing formed to position said clutch pawl at a first position prior tomovement coins past said thickness-sensing means and a second positionsubsequent to movement of coins past said coin-thickness-sensing means,and a tooth formed on said clutch pawl for projecting axially from saidratchet wheel only when said cam follower contacts said second camsurface portion.

16. A coin meter comprising a generally cylindric housing, a circularcover plate spanning one end of the housing, means centrally of saidcover plate for supporting a shaft for rotation on an axis concentricwith cylindric housing, at least two circular openings formed in thesaid cover plate outwardly of said shaft supporting means, said openingsbeing respectively sized to receive a first coin and a second cointherein, a turn plate supported within said housing and mounted on saidshaft for rotation therewith, said turn plate having first and secondcylindric openings therein spaced for registry with said openings insaid cover plate so that when said turn plate openings are in registrywith said cover plate openings coins can be inserted into said turnplate openings, a mounting plate rigid with said housing and defining asurface beneath said turn plate for retaining coins in said turn plateopenings and means interior of said housing remote from said openingsfor inhibiting rotation of said turn plate in absence of coins in saidopenings having thicknesses a preselected amount.

17. The invention of claim 16 in combination with means fonning exciseddepressions in said mounting plate opposite the openings in said coverplate, said depressions being confined to a minor portion at the marginof the area of said circular openings projected onto said mounting plateto permit downward movement of one side of coins residing in saidcircular openings so that the opposite side of the coin is raised topermit retrieval of coins from said openings.

1. In combination with a coin advance system, apparatus for inhibitingadvance of coins greater or less than a preselected thickness comprisingmeans for supporting the coin in a position at which at least a portionof one face of the coin is exposed and the opposite face is confined toa plane parallel to the one face, means for transporting said supportingmeans along a path on the plane, a lever having a sensor protuberancefor engaging the exposed face of a coin supported in said supportingmeans, means for pivotally mounting said lever about a pivotal axisspaced from said protuberance so that said protuberance is movable intoengagement with the coin face, means for resiliently biasing saidprotuberance toward said exposed face, said lever including a firsttooth spaced from said pivotal mounting means and movable toward andaway from said path as said protuberance engages the coin surfacewhereby the lever moves in response to varying thickness of coins insaid supporting means, first abutment means carried by said transportingmeans for engaging said first tooth when the surface of the coin in saidsupporting means is below a preselected level, said first abutment meanshaving a height such that said first tooth is positioned clear of saidfirst abutment means when a coin of preselected thickness is in saidcoin-supporting means, said lever also including a second abutment meansdisposed on the side of the pivotal axis of said lever opposite fromsaid first tooth, and second abutment means carried by said transportingmeans for engaging said second tooth when the surface of the coin insaid supporting means is above a preselected level, said second abutmentmeans having a height such that said second tooth is positioned clear ofsaid second abutment means when a coin of preselected thickness is insaid coin-supporting means, said second tooth being spaced laterallyfrom said first tooth in a direction transverse of said path.
 2. Theinvention of claim 1 in combination with a cam follower attached to saidlever remote from said pivotal axis and a cam surface on saidtransporting means for engaging said cam follower, said cam surfacehaving a first region formed and positioned to permit said sensorprotuberance to approach a coin in said coin-supporting means when saidcoin-supporting means is opposite said protuberance and a second regionfor positioning said protuberance away from the level of said coinsurface at all other positions of said transporting means.
 3. Theinvention of claim 2 wherein said cam surface includes a transitionregion intermediate said first and second regions fOr effecting a smoothcontinuous transition therebetween.
 4. The invention of claim 1 whereinsaid coin-supporting means includes a plate having an edge and acylindric opening centered at a point on said plate spaced from saidedge less than the radius of the opening so that a portion of theperiphery of a coin in said opening is accessible from said edge, alever pivotally supported adjacent said edge and having an extensionmovable toward and away from said edge and the periphery of a coinresiding in said opening, means for resiliently biasing said extensiontoward said edge, said lever having a tooth thereon remote from saidextension, and a tooth-engaging abutment mounted on said transportingmeans and adapted to be engaged by said tooth in response to inwardmovement of said extension when the periphery of a coin in said openingis insufficient to retain said lever in an outward position.
 5. Theinvention of claim 4 wherein said edge is generally circular and whereina second cylindric opening is formed in said plate in circumferentiallyspaced relation of first said opening, said openings being spaced fromthe edge of said plate by an amount proportional to their respectivediameters so that accessible portions of the edges of coins residing inthe openings are equispaced from the plate edge, and means for rotatingsaid plate to move said coin openings sequentially past said leverextension.
 6. Coin-metering apparatus comprising a generally circularplate having first and second circumferentially spaced apart coinopenings therein, said openings being of different radial dimensionsapproximately spaced from the center of said plate so that the outeredge of the coins follow substantially the same circular path inresponse to rotation of said plate, means for applying rotative force tosaid plate to advance coins in said openings along the circular path,means on the path for sequentially sensing the thickness of coins insaid openings on the path, and means responsive to said sensing meansfor inhibiting rotation of said plate when a coin of improper thicknessis sensed by said sensing means.
 7. The invention of claim 6 whereinsaid coin-thickness-sensing means comprises a lever mounted for pivotalmovement on an axis adjacent the path, a sensor protuberance rigid withsaid lever and spaced from the pivotal axis, said sensor protuberanceextending toward said path for contact with the surface of coins in saidopenings, means for resiliently biasing said sensor protuberance towardthe path, a first tooth rigid with said lever and positioned on the sideof the pivotal axis opposite said sensor protuberance so that said firsttooth approaches said circular plate in direct proportion to thethickness of a coin on the path in said openings, first and secondabutments on said plate associated with respective said first and secondcoin openings for engagement by said first tooth when a coin ofexcessive thickness is contacted by said sensor protuberance, a secondtooth rigid with said lever and positioned on the same side of the leveras the pivotal axis so that said second tooth recedes from said circularplate in direct proportion to the thickness of a coin on the path insaid openings, and third and fourth abutments on said plate associatedwith respective said first and second coin openings for engagement bysaid second tooth when a coin of insufficient thickness is contacted bysaid sensor protuberance.
 8. The invention of claim 7 wherein said firstand second abutments are circumferentially and radially spaced fromrespective said third and fourth abutments so that said first and secondteeth operate to engage said abutments individually and sequentially. 9.The invention of claim 7 in combination with a cam follower rigid withsaid lever and extending toward said circular plate, said cam followerbeing on the same side of the pivotal axis as said sensor protuberanceso that said cam follower is urged toward said circular plate by saidbiasing means, a cam surface formed on said plate for cooperativecontact with said cam follower, said cam surface having relatively lowregions adjacent said coin openings so as to permit said protuberance tomove into contact with the surfaces of coins in said opening, said camsurface having relatively high regions at all other locations on saidcircular plate for moving said protuberance away from the path at allother positions of said circular plate with respect to saidcoin-thickness-sensing means.
 10. The invention of claim 9 wherein saidcam surface includes sloping transition regions intermediate the highregions thereof and the low regions thereof for smoothly moving saidprotuberance toward and away from the surfaces of coins in said coinopenings.
 11. The invention of claim 9 wherein the height of said lowcam regions is proportional to the thickness of coins intended forpositioning in said coin openings so as to minimize the amount ofmovement of said sensor protuberance toward the path of coin travel. 12.The invention of claim 6 in combination with means for forcefullyextracting coins after they have passed said coin-thickness-sensingmeans, said coin extracting means including a fixed tapered memberextending into the coin path for contact with the surface of coinstherein, said tapered member being configured to deflect coins movingtherepast from the path of coin travel.
 13. The invention of claim 12including a circular groove in said circular plate associated with saidtapered member, said groove intersecting said circular coin openings forestablishing clearance between said tapered member and said circularplate during rotation of said circular plate and for contacting thesurface of coins in said coin openings.
 14. The invention of claim 6 incombination with a toothed ratchet wheel rotatable with said circularplate, a pawl adjacent said ratchet wheel for engaging the teeth thereofto prevent reverse rotation of said circular plate, said ratchet wheelhaving a tooth-free portion on the periphery thereof circumferentiallypositioned with respect to said coin openings and saidcoin-thickness-sensing means that said ratchet wheel and said pawl areactive to prevent reverse rotation of said circular plate only aftercoins in said openings have passed said coin-thickness-sensing means.15. The invention of claim 14 in combination with a clutch pawl mountedon said ratchet wheel for pivotal movement about an axis extendinggenerally radially of said circular plate, said clutch pawl having a camfollower rigid therewith, means defining a cam surface adjacent saidratchet wheel for cooperation with said cam follower, said cam surfacebeing formed to position said clutch pawl at a first position prior tomovement coins past said thickness-sensing means and a second positionsubsequent to movement of coins past said coin-thickness-sensing means,and a tooth formed on said clutch pawl for projecting axially from saidratchet wheel only when said cam follower contacts said second camsurface portion.
 16. A coin meter comprising a generally cylindrichousing, a circular cover plate spanning one end of the housing, meanscentrally of said cover plate for supporting a shaft for rotation on anaxis concentric with cylindric housing, at least two circular openingsformed in the said cover plate outwardly of said shaft supporting means,said openings being respectively sized to receive a first coin and asecond coin therein, a turn plate supported within said housing andmounted on said shaft for rotation therewith, said turn plate havingfirst and second cylindric openings therein spaced for registry withsaid openings in said cover plate so that when said turn plate openingsare in registry with said cover plate openings coins can be insertedinto said turn plate openings, a mounting plate rigid with said housingand defining a surface beneath said turn plate for retaining coins insaid turn plate openings and means interior of said housing reMote fromsaid openings for inhibiting rotation of said turn plate in absence ofcoins in said openings having thicknesses a preselected amount.
 17. Theinvention of claim 16 in combination with means forming exciseddepressions in said mounting plate opposite the openings in said coverplate, said depressions being confined to a minor portion at the marginof the area of said circular openings projected onto said mounting plateto permit downward movement of one side of coins residing in saidcircular openings so that the opposite side of the coin is raised topermit retrieval of coins from said openings.
 18. The invention of claim16 wherein said circular cover plate comprises an outer planar componentand an inner planar component generally congruent to said outercomponent, said shaft supporting means including a boss extendingoutwardly from said outer component and defining a generallyfrusto-conical volume concentric of said housing, said inner componenthaving a circular hole concentric with said frusto-conical volume, and abushing interposed between said first and second components and heldcaptive therebetween, said bushing having an external frusto-conicalportion complementary to the frusto-conical volume of said boss, acylindric portion extending from said frusto-conical portion, and anannular surface between said frusto-conical portion and said cylindricportion, said cylindric portion having a diameter for entry in theopening of said inner plate component so that said annular surface onsaid bushing bears against the surface of said inner planner componentaround said circular hole, and means for joining said inner and outercomponents to one another.